unfamiliar with, Fred Dekker’s Night
of the Creeps. This 1986 zombie come-dy-scarer has, as you may have predicted, developed a huge cult following over
the past three decades. (The film’s post-er has a wonderful tagline: “The good
news is your dates are here. The bad
news is … they’re dead.”) (7: 30 p.m.
on February 23 at the Dipson Amherst
Theatre, 3500 Main St.; facebook.com/
thursdaynightterrors)

Roycroft Film Society—
Persuasion: The Roycroft often picks surprising, unexpected films, and the February
choice fits the bill. The 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion lacked
the star power of films like Emma and
Sense and Sensibility, and made less
of an impact at the box office. But it’s
a unique take on a less-heralded Austen novel. Director Roger Michell’s film
stars Amanda Root and the always welcome Ciarán Hinds. ( 4 p.m. on February 12 at Parkdale Elementary School,
141 Girard Ave., East Aurora; roycroft-campuscorp.com)

Old Chestnut Film Society—The
Lady Gambles: Barbara Stanwyck is a
gambling addict in this 1949 film costarring Robert Preston. (7: 30 p.m. on February 10 in the Community Room of
the Phillip Sheridan School, 3200 Elmwood Ave., Kenmore; oldchestnut.com)

Shea’s Free Family Film Series:
The title of the final installment in
the 2017 Free Family Film Series was
not announced at press time, so check
sheas.org for updates. Tickets are available one week before screenings at the
Shea’s Box Office—they are no longer
available at Wegmans—and doors open
one hour before show time. ( 2 p.m. on
February 5 at Shea’s Performing Arts
Center, 646 Main St.; sheas.org)

Fathom Events—Is Genesis History?: There is plenty coming to local
screens this month courtesy of Fathom Events, including broadcasts of
Swan Lake by the Bolshoi Ballet and
La Traviata at The Met. The full list
can be found at fathomevents.com,
but one standout is the documentary,

Is Genesis History In this sure to be
controversial film, Dr. Del Tackett talks
with scientists and scholars about the
Book of Genesis. The doc will be followed by a panel discussion with distinguished scientists and scholars about
the creation vs. evolution debate, moderated by Dr. Tackett. ( 7 p.m. on February 23 at the Regal Elmwood Center,
2001 Elmwood Ave., and Regal Transit
Center, 6707 Transit Rd., Williamsville;
fathomevents.com)

Fredonia Opera House—
Amadeus and I, Claude Monet: It’s another
busy month of high-definition, live via
satellite transmissions at the Fredonia
Opera House. Visit fredopera.org for
the full list, but pay particular attention to Amadeus on February 11. This
new production of Peter Shaffer’s play
is broadcast live from the National Theatre in London. The story of the rivalry
between Mozart and Salieri is timeless,
and for those who have only seen Milos
Forman’s Oscar-winning film adaptation, this is a unique viewing opportunity. Also of note is I, Claude Monet
on February 23. Using letters and other private writings, director Phil Grab-sky’s film should be an insightful look at
the beloved impressionist. (Amadeus: 1
p.m. on February 17; I, Claude Monet:
7: 30 p.m. on February 23; at the Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St., Fredonia; fredopera.org)

Valentine’s Day Brunch and Film,
and an Academy Awards Preview in
Rochester: Seeking an atypical way to
spend Valentine’s Day? This event featuring brunch and a screening of The
Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a fine choice.
Tickets for the event at Rochester’s
George Eastman Museum are $45. And
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
columnist Jack Garner breaks down
this year’s Academy Awards at a special
event at the Eastman House’s Dryden
Theatre. A Q&A will follow. (
Valentine’s Day Brunch and Film: 10 a.m. on
February 12; Academy Awards Preview:
6 p.m. on February 13; at the George
Eastman Museum, 900 East Ave., Rochester; eastman.org)

The Royal Opera House’s Così
Fan Tutte at the Dipson Amherst:
Opera lovers, rejoice. For three hours
and forty minutes on February 16, you
can enjoy a live simulcast of Così Fan
Tutte. Not a bad way to spend a Monday afternoon. ( 2 p.m. on February 16
at the Dipson Amherst Theatre, 3500
Main. St.; dipsontheatres.com)

Christopher Schobert is a film critic for theBuffalo News and other outlets.